Spectrx, Inc.

Altea Technologies, Inc.

Altea Therapeutics Corporation

Other

Nitto-denko Corporation

Spectrix Corporation

Michael R Hatch

Jonathan Eppstein

Krishna Kumar

Mark L Faupel

Alan Smith

Mark A Samuels

Jonathan A Eppstein

Difei Yang

Joseph Papp

Shu Kun Chang

Ross Lockwood

Anastasios G Karahalios

Mark S Vreeke

J David Farquhar

Eric Tomlinson

Teresa Woods

Stuart McRae

Danny F Lincoln

David Farquhar

Corey Montgomery

Diedre Williams

Allison Minton

Garrett T Robinson

Harry K Delcher

A removable step assembly for a helicopter includes a main tube, which supports a forward step and a rear step, as well as a bushing housing. The main tube is mounted to a helicopter by the bushing housing, an associated bushing, and by an adapter assembly that is secured to the cabin of the helicopter.

Step assembly for helicopter

Handheld microporation device

A system and method for extracting a biological fluid from an organism and continuously monitoring its characteristics. The system includes a tissue interface device suitable for positioning on or about the surface of the biological membrane of the organism and a monitor and control unit coupled to the tissue interface device. The tissue interface device includes a sensor positioned in a flow path of the fluid for continuously sensing a characteristic of the biological fluid as it flows out from the one or more artificial openings formed in the biological membrane. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof. The monitor and control unit electrically or optically reads the sensor to obtain a measurement of a characteristic, such as concentration of a particular analyte, of the biological fluid on a continuous basis.

System and method for continuous analyte monitoring

A tissue interface device () suitable for positioning on or about one or more artificial openings in a biological membrane of an organism and for coupling to a monitor and control unit and a vacuum source. The tissue interface device () comprises a housing (), a sensor channel (), and a sensor (). The housing () defines an orifice (), the orifice () having an open inlet port () on the bottom end () of the housing () and a distal end () that is in fluid communication with the sensor channel (). The orifice () is in fluid communication with fluid that flows from the artificial opening formed in the biological membranes. The sensor channel () is for coupling to, and fluid communication therewith, the vacuum source. The sensor () is positioned in the sensor channel () in a flow path of the fluid for sensing a characteristic of the fluid as it flows out from the artificial opening. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof.

Tissue interface device

A fluid collection and sensor device for placement over at least one artificial opening made in a biological membrane for measuring a characteristic of a biological fluid collected from the tissue through the at least one artificial opening. The device comprises a sensor positioned in a flow path of the biological fluid for contacting a quantity of the biological fluid and generating an indication of a characteristic of the biological fluid. According to one aspect of the invention, a waste fluid storage element, such as a reservoir, is positioned in the device to collect the biological fluid after it has made contact with the sensor. According to another aspect of the invention, various surfaces of the fluid flow path of the fluid collection and sensor device are treated with an agent to limit or minimize clotting, aggregation or sepsis of the biological fluid, blockage or clogging of the flow path or degradation of the sensor. According to still another aspect of the invention, various configurations of a fluid sensor and collection device are provided that are designed to ensure that measurements are made on independent fluid samples.

System and method for fluid management in a continuous fluid collection and sensor device

An improved light beam generation and focusing device () has a light source () constructed and arranged to emit at least one beam of light (), and a lens assembly () constructed and arranged to focus the at least one beam of light on a surface plane. The device is constructed and arranged to sequentially direct the at least one beam of light to at least two spaced locations (') on the surface plane. The lens assembly comprises a collimating lens (), and a spaced focusing lens ().

Light beam generation, and focusing and redirecting device

An alignment device and related systems and methods for aligning at least one apparatus with respect to a surface of a tissue. The alignment device comprises a tissue interface member suitable for positioning on the surface of the tissue and mating with the apparatus to maintain alignment of the apparatus during an operation of the apparatus. The alignment device is useful to align various apparatus that are part of a continuous analyte monitoring system.

Integrated alignment devices, system, and methods for efficient fluid extraction, substance delivery and other applications

An integrated device for poration of biological tissue, harvesting a biological fluid from the tissue, and analysis of the biological fluid. The device comprises a tissue-contacting layer having an electrically or optically heated probe to heat and conduct heat to the tissue to form at least one opening, such as a micropore to collect biological fluid from the opening, and a detecting layer responsive to the biological fluid to provide an indication of a characteristic of the biological fluid, such as the concentration of an analyte in interstitial fluid. In the embodiment in which, the probe comprises a photosensitizing assembly designed for the uniform application of a photosensitizing material, such as, for example, a dye or a pigment, to a tissue, e.g., the stratum comeum. In one embodiment, the photosensitizing assembly comprises photosensitizing material combined with a carrier, such as, for example, an adhesive or an ink, and the resulting combination is applied to a substrate, such as, for example, an inert polymeric substrate to form a photosensitizing assembly. In another embodiment, the photosensitizing assembly comprises photosensitizing material incorporated into a film-forming polymeric material.

Integrated poration, harvesting and analysis device, and method therefor

A system and method for detecting a measuring an analyte in a biological fluid of an animal. A harvesting device () is provided suitable for positioning on the surface of tissue of an animal to harvest biological fluid therefrom. The harvesting device () comprises an analyte sensor () positioned to be contacted by the harvested biological fluid and which generates a measurement signal representative of the analyte. At least one attribute sensor () is provided to measure an attribute associated with the biological fluid harvesting operation of the harvesting device () or the assay of the biological fluid, and which generates an attribute signal representative of the attribute. Adjustments are made to operational parameters of the harvesting device () based on the one or more attributes.

Attribute compensation for analyte detection and/or continuous monitoring

A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.

Controlled removal of biological membrane by pyrotechnic charge for transmembrane transport

The invention provides for improved devices and methods for forming openings in a biological membrane for delivering substances into an animal through the biological membrane for treatment applications, or extracting substances from the animal through the biological membrane for monitoring or other diagnosis applications and for increased transmembrane flux.

Apparatus for microporation of biological membranes using thin film tissue interface devices, and method therefor

A photothermal structure designed for the uniform application of a photothermal material, such as, for example, a dye or a pigment, to a tissue, e.g., the stratum corneum. In one embodiment, the photothermal structure comprises photothermal material combined with a carrier, such as, for example, an adhesive or an ink, and the resulting combination is applied to a substrate, such as, for example, an inert polymeric substrate to form a photothermal structure. In another embodiment, the photothermal structure comprises photothermal material incorporated into a film-forming polymeric material.

Photothermal structure for biomedical applications, and method therefor

A method of enhancing the permeability of the skin to an analyte for diagnostic purposes or to a drug for therapeutic purposes is described utilizing microporation and optionally sonic energy and a chemical enhancer. If selected, the sonic energy may be modulated by means of frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and/or combinations thereof. Microporation is accomplished by (a) ablating the stratum corneum by localized rapid heating of water such that such water is vaporized, thus eroding the cells; (b) puncturing the stratum corneum with a micro-lancet calibrated to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter; (c) ablating the stratum corneum by focusing a tightly focused beam of sonic energy onto the stratum corneum; (d) hydraulically puncturing the stratum corneum with a high pressure jet of fluid to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter, or (e) puncturing the stratum corneum with short pulses of electricity to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter. A dye with an absorption maximum matched to the wavelength of a pulsed light source can be absorbed into the stratum corneum to concentrate the energy of the pulsed light source and aid in ablation of the stratum corneum. Alternatively, a hot wire can be caused to contact the stratum corneum.

Growing community of inventors

Sugar Hill, GA, United States of America

Michael R Hatch